By Gary Andrews
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One of the greatest thrills I believe anyone can ever have is watching a young child open a gift or taste a food that is met with their acceptance. Their excitement, expressions, words, and actions immediately tell you they have found something that is very pleasant and rewarding. There is no doubt about how they feel concerning what they have just done and will likely tell you or others for the next few minutes, hours, or days about their gratification and satisfaction. It seems that their enthusiasm is limitless.
For many of us adults we have that same type enthusiasm but keep it in check by holding it inside of us. It is hard for people to understand why we don’t get excited and exude our jubilation when something has happened to or for us. Maybe it is because we don’t want to draw attention to our self.
When this happens we miss out on the festive reactions and others aren’t allowed to share our emotions.
One of the greatest rewards we can ever receive is when we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. By joining a Bible based, Christ centered church we make a public statement of what we have done. I am not saying you have to join a church to be saved, but it is good for you and the ones around you to worship with fellow Christians and enjoy the excitement together.
Many times a new Christian will have the same excitement as a child does by telling others of what he or she has done. It’s a change in heart and the relieving of pressure when you allow Jesus to control your life and you get out of the way.
Becoming a new Christian doesn’t automatically eliminate your problems however; it makes working with them and solving them easier. Having a Christ centered life and leaning on that small still voice of Jesus helps us go in the right direction. Becoming a Christian is a faith decision of allowing Christ to lead and guide you in what you do and believing in Him to be your only way too eternal life with Him.
John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Becoming a Christian should have the same excitement of child opening a new gift. The expressions, words, and actions should radiate from us and we should be eager to share our faith with anyone at any time.  Having Jesus in our heart is the greatest gift we can ever receive and it is yours for the asking. It is given through God’s grace and all we have to do is have faith.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for another day of life. I pray that I will be a leader in your Word and be the example you expect of me. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Acts 4:8-12; Monday – Psalm 84:9-12; Tuesday – Job 1:8-11; Wednesday – Romans 5:1-8; Thursday – Isaiah 55:1-3; Friday – Titus 3:3-8; Saturday – 1 Peter 1:17-21.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com.